Peperomia plant named &#39;Sunrise&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Peperomia  plant named ‘Sunrise’ that is characterized by grey-green leaves with green veins on the upper surface, pink-red leaves on the lower surface, pink-red petioles and pink-red peduncles.

Botanical classification: Peperomia hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘Sunrise’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPeperomia plant botanically known as Peperomia hybrid and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name ‘Sunrise’.

‘Sunrise’ originated from the self-pollination of an unnamed Peperomiahybrid cultivar. The crossing was conducted in 2013 in Sappemeer,Netherlands. The resulting seeds were subsequently planted and grown.The cultivar ‘Sunrise’ was selected by the inventor in 2014 in acontrolled environment as a single plant within the progeny of thestated cross in a cultivated area of Sappemeer, Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘Sunrise’ first occurred byleaf cuttings in 2014 in Sappemeer, Netherlands. Since that time, undercareful observation, the unique characteristics of the new cultivar havebeen uniform, stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the newPeperomia cultivar ‘Sunrise’. These traits in combination distinguish‘Sunrise’ as a new and distinct cultivar apart from other existingvarieties of Peperomia known by the inventor.

1. Peperomia ‘Sunrise’ exhibits grey-green leaves with green veins onthe upper surface and pink-red leaves on the lower surface.2. Peperomia ‘Sunrise’ exhibits pink-red petioles and peduncles.

The closest comparison cultivars are Peperomia ‘Eden Rosso’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 24,379) and Peperomia ‘Napoli Nights’ (co-pending U.S. Plantpatent application). ‘Sunrise’ is distinguishable from ‘Eden Rosso’ bythe following characteristics:

1. Peperomia ‘Sunrise’ exhibits grey-green leaves with green veins onthe upper surface. In comparison, the upper leaf surface of ‘Eden Rosso’is darker green in color.2. The leaves of Peperomia ‘Sunrise’ are more oval shaped than theleaves of ‘Eden Rosso’. In comparison, the leaves of ‘Eden Rosso’ aremore elongated and pointed in shape.

‘Sunrise’ is distinguishable from ‘Napoli Nights’ by the followingcharacteristics:

1. Peperomia ‘Sunrise’ exhibits grey-green leaves with green veins onthe upper surface. In comparison, the upper leaf surface of ‘NapoliNights’ is more grey in color.2. Peperomia ‘Sunrise’ exhibits leaves that are larger in size than theleaves of ‘Napoli Nights’.

‘Sunrise’ is distinguishable from the parent plant, by the followingcharacteristics:

1. The leaves of ‘Sunrise’ are grey-green on the upper surface. Theleaves of the parent plant are darker grey-green on the upper surface.2. The leaves of ‘Sunrise’ are pink-red on the lower surface. The leavesof the parent plant are pink-green on the lower surface.3. The leaves of Peperomia ‘Sunrise’ are more oval shaped than theleaves the parent plant. In comparison, the leaves of the parent plantare more elongated and pointed in shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photograph illustrates the distinguishing traits ofPeperomia ‘Sunrise’. The photograph shows an overall view of a 30 weekold plant. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques andalthough colors may appear different from actual colors due to lightreflectance, it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographictechniques.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new Peperomia cultivarnamed ‘Sunrise’. Data was collected in Sappemeer, Netherlands from 30week old plants grown in a glass greenhouse in 10.5 cm. diametercontainers. The time of year was Summer and the temperature range was18-25 degrees Centigrade during the day and 15-18 degrees Centigrade atnight. The light level was natural light level. No photoperiodictreatments or growth retardants were used. Color determinations are inaccordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2015edition, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used. The growing requirements are similar to thespecies. ‘Sunrise’ has not been tested under all possible conditions andphenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental,climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance ingenotype.

-   Botanical classification: Peperomia hybrid ‘Sunrise’.-   Annual or perennial: Perennial.-   Parentage: ‘Sunrise’ is a self-crossing of an unnamed Peperomia    hybrid cultivar.-   Plant type: Potted plant.-   Growth habit: Rosette.-   Plant shape: Flattened globe shaped.-   Suitable container size: 10.5 cm. pots or larger.-   Plant height: 15.3 cm.-   Plant width: 27.0 cm.-   Vigor: Low.-   Low temperature tolerance: 10° Centigrade.-   High temperature tolerance: 35° Centigrade.-   Propagation: Leaf cuttings.-   Time to initiate roots (summer): 10 days at 18 to 20° C.-   Time to initiate roots (winter): 14 days at 18 to 20° C.-   Time to produce a rooted cutting (summer): 80 days at 18 to 20° C.-   Time to produce a rooted cutting (winter): 100 days at 18 to 20° C.-   Growth rate: Low.-   Crop time: Approximately 18 to 22 weeks in Sappemeer, Netherlands.-   Root system: Fibrous.-   Plant fragrance: None.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching habit.—Short thick stems branching into rosettes            of leaves.        -   Number of main stems per plant.—Average 15.        -   Number of lateral branches per plant.—Average 45.        -   Lateral branch dimensions.—0.4 cm. in length and 0.6 cm. in            width.        -   Internode length.—0.1 cm.        -   Stem shape.—Rounded.        -   Stem texture.—Smooth.        -   Stem pubescence.—Absent.        -   Stem angle.—10 degrees.        -   Stem strength.—Moderately strong.        -   Stem color (young).—176A.        -   Stem color (mature).—176A.        -   Internode color.—176A.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Compound or single.—Single.        -   Quantity of leaves per lateral branch.—Average 5.        -   Leaf shape.—Ovate.        -   Leaf aspect.—Moderately convex.        -   Leaf apex.—Broad acute.        -   Leaf base.—Cordate.        -   Leaf dimensions.—5.9 cm. in length and 4.5 cm. in width.        -   Texture.—Glabrous (both surfaces).        -   Leaf luster.—Upper surface glossy, lower surface matte.        -   Pubescence.—Absent.        -   Leaf margin.—Entire.        -   Venation pattern.—Parallel, strongly furrowed.        -   Young leaf color (upper surface).—Between N189C and 198A,            surrounding veins N189A.        -   Young leaf color (lower surface).—183C, surrounding veins            183A.        -   Mature leaf color (upper surface).—Between N189B and N189C.        -   Mature leaf color (lower surface).—182B.        -   Vein color (upper surface).—Varies between 139A and N189A.        -   Vein color (lower surface).—183A.-   Petiole:    -   -   Petiole dimensions.—8.2 cm. in length and 0.35 cm. in            diameter.        -   Petiole texture.—Glabrous.        -   Petiole luster.—Slightly glossy.        -   Petiole pubescence.—Absent.        -   Petiole strength.—Low.        -   Petiole color.—N170D with fine stripes 182A.-   Flower:    -   -   Inflorescence type.—Axillary spike.        -   Inflorescence dimensions.—4.8 cm. in length and 0.25 cm. in            diameter.        -   Quantity of flowers per inflorescence.—Average 600.        -   Quantity of flowers and buds per plant.—Average 12,000.        -   Fragrance.—None.        -   Bud length.—Average 0.2 mm.        -   Bud diameter.—Average 0.2 mm.        -   Bud shape.—Globose.        -   Bud color.—143A.        -   Flower type and form.—Flowers have no petals and consist of            two stamens and a single pistil.        -   Flower aspect.—Outward.        -   Flower dimensions.—Average 0.5 mm. in diameter and 0.3 mm.            in height.        -   Flower longevity.—Approximately 1 month.        -   Persistent or self-cleaning.—Self-cleaning.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Peduncle dimensions.—8.5 cm. in length and 0.2 cm. in            diameter.        -   Peduncle angle.—30 degrees from vertical.        -   Peduncle strength.—Moderately weak.        -   Peduncle texture.—Smooth.        -   Peduncle luster.—Glossy.        -   Peduncle color.—180A.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamen number.—2.        -   Anther shape.—Club shaped.        -   Anther length.—0.1 mm.        -   Anther color.—145D.        -   Filament length.—0.1 mm.        -   Filament color.—144C.        -   Amount of pollen.—Low.        -   Pollen color.—155A.        -   Number of pistils.—1.        -   Pistil length.—0.05 mm.        -   Stigma shape.—Flattened, ovate.        -   Stigma dimensions.—0.05 mm. in length and 0.2 mm. in            diameter.        -   Stigma color.—143C.        -   Style.—None visible.        -   Ovary color.—144A.-   Fruit and seed: ‘Sunrise’ has not produced fruit or seed to date.-   Disease and pest resistance: Disease and pest resistance has not    been observed.

1. A new and distinct variety of Peperomia plant named ‘Sunrise’ asdescribed and illustrated.